Transcript Highlights:

• Lani Farm LLC in support, parents and children's together in support, Hawaii Food Bank in support, Project
• in support, Hawaii Farm Bureau in support, AAHA Youth Board in support, Ala Care in support, and Hawaii
• Hawaii food bank in support support Hawaii food bank in support project<01:00:03.839> Vision<
• > board<01:00:16.680> in<01:00:16.920> support in support aaha youth board in support
• in support aaha youth board in support ala<01:00:18.119> care<01:00:18.599> support<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with testimony largely in support. SB 1388 and SB 1393, both concerning the School Facilities Authority and Department of Education representation and land conveyances, received support from DOE and the School Facilities Authority, with no questions or action taken. SB 423, which would add Head Start representation to the Early Learning Board, was supported by the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning, which explained the bill would realign the board with federal Head Start Act requirements after the board was restructured in Act 170; EEL also requested an effective-date amendment. SB 422, allowing DOE to award diplomas to students whose education was disrupted by war, drew support from DOE, the Chamber of Commerce, the Military Council, and the Special Education Advisory Council, but also significant opposition from the Hawaii Patriot Republicans and many individuals; members asked questions about the bill, and DOE explained the measure’s purpose, but no vote was taken. The committee also took testimony on SB 532, which would expand who may administer certain medications in schools. DOE, the Department of Health, and the University of Hawaii supported the bill. Members asked detailed questions about oral, nasal, and topical medications and the process for prescription review and administration; DOE explained that parents request the medication, a school form is completed, a nurse reviews it, and either a trained school health assistant or a contracted nurse administers the medication. DOE said the measure could improve attendance and learning, especially for students with ADHD, asthma, and other chronic conditions. The committee then heard SB 659 on locally sourced food products and school meals, where DOE’s procurement office opposed the higher small-purchase threshold and DOE exemption from procurement rules, while Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others supported the bill as a way to advance farm-to-school goals and the 30% local food target by 2030. Testimony and questioning focused on the proposed threshold increase, transparency, and whether an online bidding system would be preferable. Finally, the committee heard SB 1300 on subsidies for ALICE families’ school meals. DOE supported the bill but requested amendments: defining eligibility at 250% of the federal poverty level, delaying implementation until the 2026-2027 school year, and covering reduced-price lunch students in full for 2025-2026. HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and others supported the measure, emphasizing food insecurity, the burden of meal paperwork, and the educational importance of free meals. Hawaii Appleseed suggested replacing ALICE with a federal poverty level standard and removing a rulemaking requirement that could delay implementation. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in support.
• I urge your support. Thank you. Who are doing things right. I urge your support. Thank you.
• Streetbender, I support. I support. Juanita Valdez, I support. Good afternoon.
• Streetbender, I support. I support. Juanita Valdez, I support. Juanita Valdez, I support.
• And again, I'm supporting this bill today. And again, I'm supporting this bill today.

Summary: The committee heard multiple bills, with extensive discussion focused on short-term rental regulation, street vending, park/public safety financing, transit-oriented housing fees, and demographic data collection. SB 346 would require short-term rental platforms to provide local governments with listing addresses and related information to help collect transient occupancy taxes and enforce local ordinances; supporters argued cities and counties need the data to identify unlicensed operators and recover taxes, while opposition from platforms raised privacy and due process concerns and said administrative subpoenas already exist. The bill was amended and passed 7-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, sought to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared in ways that could expose them to federal immigration enforcement; supporters described raids and fear in vendor communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. SB 499 would clarify that certain park and recreation facilities designated in local safety or hazard mitigation plans can qualify for fee deferral exemptions when they serve emergency or public safety functions; supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and recovery hubs, while some housing advocates sought a clearer nexus to development impacts. The bill passed as amended 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which would modernize traffic impact fee rules to better reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, drew support from housing and transportation advocates and passed 8-0 to Appropriations. SB 515, aimed at improving demographic data collection and reporting by local governments and state entities, passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote. The committee also took up SB 276, presented by Assembly Member Stefani on behalf of Senator Wiener, which would allow San Francisco to create a permit-and-enforcement system for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks. Supporters said the measure is needed to address fencing operations and protect legitimate vendors, while emphasizing it is narrowly targeted and not aimed at food vendors or permitted sellers. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 276, with supporters from the Mission street vendor community and San Francisco Public Works describing enforcement problems and the need for clearer rules and city resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• X, and see how we can support them.
• And thank you for supporting us.
• DDS's 52 family support centers, including culturally and linguistically diverse family support centers
• The other thing, it also supports the governor's budget also supports our retention efforts.
• support, support with behavioral health services.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been supporting many of those bills. I'll support this bill.
• Oh, in support. Sorry.
• Is there anyone else here in support of AB82? in support of AB82.
• Please support AB 56.
• Thank you. here in support.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services. Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards. The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Katherine Frier in support. Fred Hoffer in support. Robert Colbertson in support.
• Tamar Hayden in support. Michelle Mitsumori in support. Ruda Jordans in support.
• Tina Marie Kura in support. Arlene Velasco in support.
• in support. Fred Hoffer in support. in support. Fred Hoffer in support.
• <00:18:39.679> Tina support. Ruda Jordans in support. Tina support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health, Human Services, and Agriculture and Environment heard testimony on SR 85, which requests the Department of Health to form a working group on solid waste management, and on SCR 19, which asks the Tax Review Commission to identify ways to implement Hawaii’s long-term care financing program. SR 85 drew broad support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, environmental groups, and numerous individuals, with one commenter asking that a military representative be added to address possible landfill use of military lands. For SCR 19, testimony came in support from the Executive Office on Aging and another supporter. For SR 85, the chair recommended passage with amendments. The amendments revised landfill-location language, removed certain lines, expanded the report’s scope to include materials management policies, environmental protections, and alternative technologies for waste that cannot be recycled or composted, and changed the working group membership language to include representatives from specified sectors. The committee also agreed to add invited participants such as Zero Waste USA, the reuse and deconstruction industries, a landfill leachate expert, a unit-based pricing expert, and a military representative, and to require the governor or designee to convene the initial meeting. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with members voting aye and one member excused. For SCR 19, the chair recommended passage with an amendment adding reference to findings in a 1991 report on financing long-term care. The committee approved the measure with amendments by vote, again with members voting aye and one member excused. The joint session then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in support.
• side, so we are in support.
• We're in support. Thank you.
• We are in support. I'm Michini from NP3 K-12 Charter, and I'm in support.
• I support this measure.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 972?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 978?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 991?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met in quorum and heard a large suspense-file agenda, with authors on most bills waiving presentation and the Department of Finance declining comment. The committee repeatedly took brief public testimony limited to fiscal impacts, then moved most measures to suspense without objection. Bills sent to suspense included SB 867, 868, 869 (with opposition from the California Restaurant Association), 934, 1202, 907, 1262, 923, 1057, 955, 1046, 1237, 970, 972, 978, 1105, 991, 1015, 1021, 1222, 1023, 1261, 1030, 1039, 1042, 1052, 1077, 1114, 1149, 1160, 1342, 1399, 1422, 1161, 1166, 1330, 1191, 1378, 1197, 1220, 1255, 1394, and 1420. The committee also heard SB 1106 by Senator Cabaldon, which would shorten the deadline for data brokers to comply with deletion requests from 45 days to 30 days. Senator Cabaldon said the change would not create new costs beyond routine regulatory updates, and no opposition was presented. The committee approved SB 1106 on a 5-0 vote and placed it on call before the final vote was completed. Several suspense-file bills drew limited support testimony from advocacy groups, including SB 1052 from The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration and LARC, SB 1422 from the California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition, and SB 1255 from the Campaign for College Opportunity. After completing the agenda, the committee finalized SB 1106 with a 5-0 do pass vote to the Senate floor and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're asking is for you to please support and make a bold decision to support research in the Commonwealth
• The reason we so strongly support the DRIVE legislation is that it supports this virtuous cycle from
• MIT supports the DRIVE initiative.
• We should be supporting 17 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers and three support staff.
• So I urge your support of the Drive Act to support research that directly benefits our Commonwealth.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development held a hearing on the DRIVE Act, a proposal to invest $400 million in Massachusetts research and innovation without new taxes. Governor Healey and administration officials said the bill would direct $200 million to public higher education research and regional partnerships and $200 million to a research funding pool for hospitals, universities, and other institutions, with the goal of retaining talent, leveraging private and philanthropic dollars, and offsetting major federal R&D cuts. They argued that research is a core economic engine for the state, supporting jobs across labs, construction, services, and surrounding businesses, and said the bill would help protect the Commonwealth’s tax base and competitiveness during a period of federal uncertainty and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether Fair Share surtax dollars should instead be used for K-12 and other community needs, whether the proposal is enough given the scale of lost federal grants, and how the money would be allocated. The governor responded that the funds are one-time surplus dollars, that most surtax revenue already supports education, and that the bill is meant as a bridge to stabilize public higher education and research. She also said the legislation includes a review board and could support a revolving or matched-fund approach in some cases. Several members pressed for more detail on selection criteria, future funding, and whether private companies and large endowments should contribute more. University of Massachusetts leaders and researchers testified that federal grant cancellations and delays are already causing layoffs, furloughs, rescinded admissions, and lost research capacity. UMass officials said the bill would help preserve faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research programs in medicine, climate science, marine science, Braille instruction, and AI decision-making. They emphasized that the funding should be merit-based and that the state needs to act quickly to prevent talent from leaving Massachusetts. Business, labor, and industry groups, including MassBio, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, AIM, the AFL-CIO, and Building Trades, supported the bill, saying it would protect jobs, sustain the innovation ecosystem, and reinforce Massachusetts’ national leadership in research and life sciences. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I strongly support. Thank you. I strongly support. Thank you.
• Vet Fund Foundation in support. Vet Fund Foundation in support. Thank you.
• Let's continue helping them and supporting them and supporting Senate Bill 623.
• Jim Zenter, NACVSO, strong support. Jim Zenter, NACVSO, strong support.
• We support the bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, we have no additional callers in support.
• Chair, we have no callers in support. Thank you.
• Keating, just expressing our support, urging your support, and thanking the sponsors for this.
• For these reasons, I support SB 175. Thanks.
• Chair, we have no callers in support. Thank you. Seeing no one in support?

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in support. in support.
• . support. support.
• . support. support.
• Uh DCCA in support. Uh DCCA in support.
• . support. support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard a series of gubernatorial nominations to boards and commissions under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The chair explained the 90-minute agenda, the 2-minute testimony limit, and that written testimony had been reviewed in advance. Testimony was generally supportive for each nominee, with agency boards, professional associations, and individuals submitting written or oral support. For the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Michael Basta Jr. described his 40 years in the industry, ownership of two salons, and experience training educators. For the Board of Dentistry, Christopher Woo said he had served as an interim board member since July 1 of the prior year, and Jerry Young said she was a retired pediatrician and former Hawaii Medical Board member; in response to questions, she identified a potential conflict through her role with Pu'ulu Lapa'au and said she would recuse herself when appropriate. For the Board of Psychology, Sean Scanlon and Sherry Takuishi Sara both emphasized long careers in the field and service to the community. Several members questioned psychology and medical nominees about interstate licensing compacts and access to care. Scanlon said he supported expanding the profession but would need to recuse himself on compact issues because of his role at Chaminade University, and he noted growth in local training programs. Sara said her main concern with compacts was cultural sensitivity and Hawaii’s unique cultural milieu, though she acknowledged the need for more psychologists. Pediatrician Robert Watring, nominated to the Hawaii Medical Board, said he supported local providers and was cautious about compacts, emphasizing the need to ensure qualified care in Hawaii; he said he had not seen much change from temporary licensing measures on Kauai. For the Contractors License Board, Jerry Nishik said backlog problems were driven by staff shortages and board vacancies, noting the board lacked quorum for upcoming meetings and needed more members and staff. Other nominees included Albert Dennis and Nolan Miyahara for the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board, both of whom said they wanted to continue public service and help ensure legitimate, certified repair shops; Miyahara described his career path from apprentice to automotive technology professor. The committee also heard support for Robert Woltering’s nomination to the Hawaii Medical Board, with Woltering saying he wanted to help ensure quality health care providers, especially for children on Kauai. The transcript does not show any final votes or confirmations during the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• education supports. education supports.
• receiving behavioral health supports receiving behavioral health supports really<00:08:48.880>
• , When staff are trained and supported, When staff are trained and supported, they<00:09:15.120><
• are really supporting these districts are really supporting those<00:14:12.720> highest<00:14
• able to uh support youth mental health. able to uh support youth mental health.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are practical support items that can make a real support you overall.
• We both support.
• We both support.
• We both support.
• Very much in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , all co-sponsors and strong support.
• We can have working groups, which I support. I support the amendments today.
• Jaya King concluded: "...and I am proud to be sitting here 32 years later in support of SB 456, in support
• Patrick Foy, with the City of Escondido, in support.
• Any additional witnesses want to add on in support?

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• over 80 listed supporters.
• over 80 listed supporters.
• Christine Campbell in support. On behalf of Los Angeles Unified, in support. Good morning.
• Any others in support? Me too's in support. Seeing none, opposition.
• Anybody else in support of this bill? student in strong support. Okay.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took testimony on each, with members often noting amendments and continuing negotiations. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require juvenile courts to find that less restrictive alternatives are unsuitable before ordering detention, and would require periodic review of continued detention and consideration of alternatives at disposition. Supporters argued it would reduce unnecessary youth detention and improve transparency; probation, judges, and police groups opposed it as an undue limit on judicial discretion and potentially unsafe in serious cases. The chair said he would recommend an aye with amendments, but the bill was held pending quorum and later remained on call. SB 1130 by Senator Gomez Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, requiring consent before recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and banning devices or accessories designed to defeat recording indicators. Supporters said the bill addresses secret recording and invasive surveillance; opponents from tech and hospitality groups sought clarification to avoid unintended liability for businesses and exempt workplace communication devices. Members discussed those exemptions, and the chair recommended an aye, but the measure also remained on call. Senator Blake Spear presented SB 99, which would let courts consider military protective orders in domestic violence proceedings and require better communication between civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Supporters from the Department of Defense, local officials, and military representatives said it would close protection gaps for military families; the ACLU opposed it on due process grounds because MPOs are issued without judicial process. The chair and author emphasized that the bill only allows consideration of MPOs and does not require civilian enforcement of them. The bill passed out on a vote, though it remained on call for additional members. The committee also heard SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, restricting flashbang use for crowd control and banning flashbangs and explosive breaching charges in immigration enforcement, and SB 1022, creating a statewide anti-trafficking task force. SB 937 drew support from civil rights and community groups and opposition from police and sheriffs over the use-of-force standard and limits on tactics; it passed out on a vote but remained on call. SB 1022 was supported by survivor and faith groups and opposed by public defenders and sex worker advocates who raised concerns about racial disparities and enforcement harms; it also passed out on a vote. Later, SB 1395, extending criminal protective orders for certain felony sex offenses against minors up to 20 years, and SB 1230, increasing penalties for repeat illegal dumping, were both heard with mixed testimony and were held on call after committee votes. The committee also adopted a consent calendar and several bills were moved forward with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Child Support Statute.
• They're trying to keep up with child support. So do you have any... ...support.
• They're trying to keep up with child support.
• And our child support collections on current support have greatly increased in the last two years.
• Child support collections on current support have greatly increased in the last two years based on us

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met to conduct the statutorily required four-year review of Oklahoma’s child support guidelines, which DHS said had not been reviewed on schedule in recent years. Deputy Director Don Zellner of DHS Child Support Services presented data on the number of children served, child poverty, rising costs of raising a child, wage trends, and the volume of child support orders handled by DHS. He also explained how the current guidelines work, including income withholding, shared overnight deductions, daycare, medical, transportation, and self-employment adjustments, and noted that the guidelines are based on gross combined income and currently cap at $15,000 combined income. Committee members, especially Senator Boren, questioned whether the current model fairly reflects modern family economics, including the cost of housing, the impact of shared overnights, and whether visitation issues should be addressed alongside child support. DHS said the guidelines are over 25 years old, that other states generally use similar gross-income models with shared-overnight deductions, and that Oklahoma’s administrative courts have been more receptive than district courts to DHS’s lower-income deviation approach. Zellner said DHS has also updated its practices to better account for low-income obligors, including allowing zero orders in some cases and reducing imputed minimum-wage assumptions, which DHS said has improved collections. Members also asked about transparency and public access to the calculations. DHS said the formula and income chart are in statute, the calculator is available on the DHS website, and the Excel-based tool applies the statutory chart and deductions. A public commenter asked where parents could see how amounts are calculated, and DHS explained that the statutory chart and calculator are the main sources. The committee discussed possible future reforms, including higher income caps, possible changes to shared overnight rules, and whether extracurricular or special child-related expenses could be considered through judicial deviation. No vote was taken; the meeting ended with the chair noting it was the last Judiciary meeting of the 60th Legislature and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support quality construction. We support design-build.
• We support quality construction. We support design build.
• So I am going to support the bill today. I am going to support the bill today.
• Support.
• In support: Buja Lal, with NextGen California, in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in support.
• . support. support.
• support in person. support in person.
• . support. support.
• testimony in support. testimony in support.

Bills: SB2885, SB2174, SB2925, SB2798, SB2320, SB2800, SB1230, SB2706, SB3233, SB2405, SB2350, SB2169, SB3320

Keywords: coconut rhinoceros beetle, invasive species, biosecurity, green waste, environmental management, agriculture, quarantine, pest control, transport regulations, Hawaii Revised Statutes, coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, environment, agricultural enforcement, agricultural theft, farm theft, crop theft, commodity theft

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to support child development, and we need to support our families and our children.
• So we support this bill. Thank you.
• We also support the bill's structure.
• And without a, and supporting amendments, I will support the bill. So would you like to close?
• Do we have others in support who would like to express their support? Please go ahead.

Summary: The committee adopted the consent calendar and then heard several bills on child care, aging, child welfare, food access, and youth services. SB 1200 by Sen. Menjivar would redefine infant and toddler age categories in child care licensing to allow providers to serve children beginning at 18 months in the toddler category, with supporters saying it would increase capacity and help family child care businesses stay open; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 971 by Sen. Choi would authorize counties to offer optional adult education and technology training programs for adults 55 and older through local partnerships; supporters said it would reduce isolation and improve digital literacy, and it passed 4-0 to the floor. SB 1234 by Sen. Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases, with testimony from an angel family and law enforcement about child deaths and exposure risks; it passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee also heard SB 1109 by Sen. Alvarado-Gil, which would require additional state review for short-term residential therapeutic programs in very small rural counties or facilities with repeated serious citations. The author and county officials from Alpine County argued that rural counties lack the hospitals, schools, and 24-hour emergency response needed to safely support these placements, while providers opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially destabilizing to STRTP capacity. After the author accepted committee amendments, members voted 4-0 to send the bill to Appropriations as amended. SB 961 by Sen. Ashby would require students applying for financial aid to be notified that they may also be eligible for CalFresh; student and advocacy witnesses described widespread food insecurity on campuses, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1099 by Sen. Gomez Reyes, which clarifies local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA-related exemptions; supporters said it would reduce legal uncertainty for local safety-net services, and the bill was voted 2-0 with the remaining members absent, leaving it on call. SB 1190 by Sen. Grove would create a licensing and regulatory framework for youth transport companies that move minors to out-of-state residential facilities; survivors testified about traumatic transports, supporters called for basic guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 to Public Safety. Finally, SB 1325 by Sen. Jones would create a narrow pathway for Feeding San Diego to participate in CalFood, with supporters saying it would expand hunger relief in San Diego County and opponents warning it could divert limited food bank resources; the discussion focused on broader funding concerns, and no final vote was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone else wish to express support? Any primary witnesses in opposition? Sorry, support? Great.
• Support or oppose? Yes.
• I'm here in support of the 84 people who died in the Camp Fire that they need the support of AB 2700.
• Would you like to express support?
• Any primary witnesses in support or other support, or any opposition in the room?

Keywords: 988, house, all